Buffalo State Student-Athletes Host Annual Kids' Night Out

Buffalo State College Athletics welcomed inner-city youth to the Sports Arena for its Fourth Annual “Kids' Night Out” program on Friday evening from 6 until 9 p.m.

Buffalo State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) ran the free program that attracted more than 130 third through fifth grade students from City of Buffalo elementary schools. The SAAC worked closely with Aubrey Lloyd, the Assistant Athletics Director of the Buffalo Public Schools, to recruit students from School 17 and School 81.

More than 100 student-athletes representing all 19 Buffalo State varsity athletic teams were on hand to mentor the boys and girls on techniques in various sports as well as focus on the ideals of teamwork and sportsmanship. The students rotated through nine different play stations that included kickball, dodgeball, soccer, track and field, football, basketball and more.

“The Kids' Night Out program is a great opportunity for our student-athletes at Buffalo State to get involved in the community and serve as role models for youth in our area,” said Dave Papke, a senior on the Bengals' swimming team and co-president of the SAAC. “This was the largest turnout we have had in four years, and I think it is a reflection of the growing success of the program.

The Buffalo State SAAC is planning to join forces on a pair of community projects later this month, supporting the Take Back the Night program on April 21 and participating in Service Day on April 22.
1741 Women's Lacrosse Rallies Past Fredonia, 13-10 4/11/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics FREDONIA, NY--Buffalo State (5-5/1-1) overcame a 7-6 halftime deficit to defeat host Fredonia (2-3/0-2), 13-10, today in a SUNYAC contest.

Buffalo State will play a non-conference game on Friday at Cazenovia at 4 p.m.
1740 Softball Rolls to Seventh Straight; Sweeps Pair at Geneseo 4/11/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics GENESEO, NY—Buffalo State (18-4/8-0) remained unbeaten in SUNYAC play and ran its winning streak to seven games with a two-game sweep of Geneseo (15-9/9-3), winning 5-3 and 6-2 today at Vic Raschi Field.

The Bengals overcame an early 2-0 deficit in the first game, scoring five runs over the final three innings. Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) led the Bengals’ bats, going 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Laurie Hutten (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) was 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Lindsey Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South) was 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) gave up 10 hits, but earned the win on the mound.

In the nightcap, Buffalo State pounded the Blue Knights, jumping out to a 6-0 lead, before holding on for the four-run victory. Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) led the Bengals to victory, going 2 for 3 at the plate with a home run and a double, and was the winning pitcher, scattering five hits and striking out five. Jordan Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) was 2 for 3 with a two-run homer.

Buffalo State will host Cortland on Friday in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

In the opener, Cortland plated single runs in the third and fourth innings, and added some insurance in the seventh with a pair of solo home runs by Megan Dore (Staatsburg/FD Roosevelt) and Jamie Neuner (Brewster/Brewster). Dore finished the game 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Dominique Talbot (Rockville Centre/Southside) was 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Stephanie Adamshick (Milton/Marlboro) allowed just four hits, including a pair of infield singles, and struck out nine as she cruised to her sixth shutout of the season. Laurie Hutten (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) was 1 for 2 with a walk for the Bengals. Freshman Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) suffered just her third loss of the season, allowing six hits and three earned runs.

In the nightcap, Cortland took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning before Buffalo State rallied with a pair of base hits and a towering three-run home down the left field line by Lauren Mruk (Lancaster/Lancaster) to tie the game at 3-3. The Red Dragons responded in the bottom half of the inning, however, stringing together three-consecutive hits, capped by an RBI-single by Tina Milani (Hopewell Jct./John Jay E. Fishkill) that plated Kate Yaun (Liberty/Liberty) for the winning run. Shara Evanter (Commack/Commack) hit a solo-homer in the sixth inning. Ang D’Amboise (Ballston Lake/Shenendehowa) earned the win for Cortland, allowing five hits and striking out six. Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) took the loss for Buffalo State, surrendering eight hits and two earned runs. Hutten was 2 for 3 at the plate.

Buffalo State raced to a 7-2 halftime advantage and cruised to the eight-goal victory, outshooting the Wildcats 24-11 for the contest. Leah Bernal (Marilla/Iroquois) led a balanced Bengal attack with three goals and an assist. Erin Silky (Liverpool/Liverpool) added two goals and an assist. Shantel Ackley (Baldwinsville/CW Baker), Leslie Perreault (Biddeford, ME/Maine Endwell) and Katie Lyons (Williamsville/Williamsville North) all added a goal and an assist. Kristen Lindner (Webster/Webster Thomas), Jenn LoPresti (Amherst/Sweet Home) and Laura Jason (Cheektowaga/St. Mary’s) also scored for the Bengals.

Buffalo State will look to get back on track at Brockport on Tuesday with another conference battle at 4 p.m.
1744 Softball Returns to Winning Ways; Sweeps Oswego 4/15/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State (20-6/10-2) overcame six errors and got back on track with a two-game sweep of visiting Oswego (6-13/3-6), winning 5-3 and 3-2, today in a conference doubleheader at Bengal Field.

Buffalo State belted 12 hits in the opener and converted an early 4-1 lead into a 5-3 victory, despite leaving 10 runners on base. Lauren Mruk (Lancaster/Lancaster) was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and Laurie Hutten (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) was 2 for 3 with a double to pace the Bengals’ offense. Brooke Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South) and Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) added a pair of hits each. Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) earned the win, allowing eight hits and two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. Missy Constanza (Hannibal/Hannibal) led the Oswego bats, going 2 for 2 with a double and a run scored, and Jessica Mills (Wallkill) had a triple and an RBI. Heather McBride (Mechanicville/Mechanicville) suffered the loss, giving up three earned runs and striking out five.

In the second game, Buffalo State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but allowed two runs in the bottom of the first on no hits and three errors. The Bengals finally scored again, pushing a pair of runs home in the fifth, and held on for the win. Sabuda was 2 for 4 with a run scored and earned the win, allowing three hits and no earned runs. Brooke Matheis and Jessica Mooney (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) each doubled for the Bengals. Colleen Carmon (Pt. Jefferson) was 2 for 4 with a triple for Oswego.

Buffalo State will travel to the University of Rochester on Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
1746 Two Records Fall at Slippery Rock Outdoor Track and Field Meet 4/15/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics SLIPPERY ROCK, Penn.--Buffalo State's track and field teams went head-to-head with a number of Division II and top-flight Division III programs at the Slippery Rock University Invitational today, posting several strong finishes.

Paul Mesi (Clarence/Clarence) posted the day's top finish, placing second in the 800-meter dash with a time of 1:58.74. Justin Muise (Kenmore/Kenmore West) was third in the 400-meter hurdles in 55.70. Todd Wassinger (Sanborn/Starpoint) added a sixth place showing in the hammer throw, just missing a school record with throw of 47.70 meters.

On the women's side, Jenelle Orosz (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) tied for second in the high jump, clearing 1.58 meters. Deirdre Blanke (Niskayuna/Colonie) finished ninth in the 5,000-meter run (20:41.00). Dana Migliorino (Wayne, NJ/Wayne) broke a school record in the pole vault, clearin eight feet, and Sarah Gedraitis (Lockport/Akron) eclipsed her own school best in the hammer throw at 35.14 meters.

Buffalo State will take the next week to prepare for the SUNYAC Championships at Brockport on April 28-29.
1747 Women's Lacrosse Player Leah Bernal 4/17/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics Women’s lacrosse player Leah Bernal (Marilla/Iroquois) was named the Buffalo State Athlete of the Week.

The junior childhood education major led the Bengals to a 2-1 week, including wins against Fredonia and Cazenovia. Bernal scored seven goals and had 10 points in the three-game stretch. She is currently second on the team with 20 goals and 27 points and ranks fourth in school history with 75 career points.

Bernal and the Bengals will travel to Brockport tomorrow for a SUNYAC game at 4 p.m.
1748 Women's Lacrosse Falls Just Short After Five Overtimes at Brockport 4/18/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics BROCKPORT, NY--Buffalo State (6-7/1-3) and Brockport (7-3/2-2) played five overtime periods before the Golden Eagles finally prevailed 12-11 in a SUNYAC game today in Brockport.

Buffalo State took a 6-4 lead into halftime, before Brockport opened the second half, scoring six of the first seven goals. The Bengals rallied late to even the score at 10-10, however, scoring the final three goals of regulation. After the teams traded goals in the first overtime, Brockport finally sealed the deal 23 seconds into the fifth extra period.

Leah Bernal (Marilla/Iroquois) led the Bengals with five goals. Katie Lyons (Williamsville/Williamsville North) had two goals and an assist. Kristen Lindner (Webster/Webster Thomas), Chelsey Frail (E. Rochester/E. Rochester), Jenn LoPresti (Amherst/Sweet Home) and Erin Silky (Liverpool/Liverpool) all added single goals for the Bengals.

Buffalo State will host Geneseo on Saturday at 3 p.m.
1749 Softball Piles on Two More; Earns Sweep at Rochester 4/18/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics ROCHESTER, NY--Buffalo State (22-6) needed extra innings, but added two more wins to its season total, sweeping host University of Rochester (17-13), winning 5-4 in 10 innings and 5-2, today in a non-conference doubleheader.

In the opener, the Bengals took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, before the Yellowjackets rallied to even the score. Each team plated a run in the eighth, and Buffalo State broke the tie in the 10th on an RBI single by Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier). Fisher also earned the win on the mound, pitching 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing just two hits and no earned runs. Jordan Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) added a home run for the Bengals, and Nicole Maher (Waterloo/Waterloo) was 3 for 3.

In the nightcap, Buffalo State broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh for the three-run victory. Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) homered in this one, and sister Jordan was 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Lauren Mruk (Lancaster/Lancaster) was 3 for 3 with two runs scored. Fisher registered her 12th win of the year, allowing six hits and striking out six.

Buffalo State will visit Potsdam for a SUNYAC doubleheader on Friday with first pitch at 3 p.m.
1756 Trees Interpreted: Charles Burchfield and Mark Lavatelli On View at the Burchfield-Penney Opening Reception to be held on Friday, May 12 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 4/19/2006 Kathleen Heyworth heyworkm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Head of Marketing and Public Relations 7168784529 http://www.burchfield-penney.org The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is pleased to present Trees Interpreted: Charles Burchfield and Mark Lavatelli, which is on view from April 22 – October 22, 2006. An opening reception celebrating the exhibition will held on Friday, May 12 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Charles Burchfield’s reverence for trees has been recognized in exhibition commentary during his lifetime and since his death. As symbols, Burchfield’s trees stood in place of humans, representing tenacity and nature’s cycles of life. Within the natural domain, his trees exhibited unique characteristics distinguishing favorite deciduous and evergreen varieties of the mid-western and eastern regions of the U.S. Individually they became icons, such as a sun-draped American Chestnut tree representing the glory of summer solstice or the silhouette of the Eastern Hemlock serving as a pyramidal gateway to a transcendental, future realm.

Mark Lavatelli, an artist currently working in Buffalo, also draws inspiration from trees—painting and drawing them in both representational and more abstracted compositions. He said, “I like trees because they are metaphors of human potential (reaching up and out, standing tall), of individuality, of vision, and ultimately, of consciousness.

Lavatelli's treescapes, including new works that have never been publicly shown, will be exhibited beside Burchfield drawings and paintings in a unique exhibition for the Burchfield galleries that welcomes critical analysis of two artists’ approaches to a common subject, comparing classic Burchfield works with a contemporary approach.

Burchfield-Penney staff working in concert with Lavatelli to pair works for compelling contrast include Scott Propeack, Registrar and Manager of Collections and Touring Exhibitions, and Nancy Weekly, Head of Collections and the Charles Cary Rumsey Curator. An illustrated exhibition brochure will feature essays contributed by John Massier, Visual Arts Curator at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and Nancy Weekly.

I have long admired Charles Burchfield's compelling landscapes, especially those that expand visual language to encompass senses other than the visual. To have my paintings exhibited with his is a true honor, added Lavatelli.

About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center

The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.

The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students and $3 for children and is free for students, faculty and staff of Buffalo State College and members of the Burchfield-Penney.
1750 Volleyball Player Breier Receives SUNY Chancellor's Award 4/20/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics Buffalo State student-athlete Jen Breier (Grand Island/Grand Island) was among the approximately 175 students from all of the State University of New York (SUNY) institutions honored as Chancellor John R. Ryan recognized SUNY’s outstanding students at a ceremony on April 10 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence honors students who have best demonstrated and been recognized for their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, which may included leadership, entrepreneurship, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts or career achievement.

“We are incredibly proud of Jen's accomplishments,” said Athletics Director Jerry Boyes. “She has excelled in all phases of her collegiate career and has exemplified what student-athletes should strive to be.

A native of Grand Island, NY, Breier will earn her bachelor’s degree in art education at the close of this semester. A four-year member of Buffalo State’s volleyball team, she has maintained a 3.91 grade point average. A two-year team captain and most valuable player, she was twice selected to the All-SUNYAC All-Star team. This year, she was also awarded the SUNYAC Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete Award for volleyball. She also has earned numerous accolades beyond the volleyball court. A four-time member of the SUNYAC All-Academic Team, she was also a three-time honoree on the conference's Commissioner's List. She also was selected to the prestigious Who's Who Among American College Students and will receive the Buffalo State Alumni Scholar Athlete Award, given annually to the top male and female graduating seniors. Following graduation, Breier will pursue a career as an art teacher and will continue her graduate work at Buffalo State College.

Breier is just the fourth Buffalo State student-athlete to earn the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. Football player Craig Dana was the first to receive the award in 1999. Softball player Tiffany Ciolek and volleyball player Krista Wierzbicki each earned the honor in 2004.
1751 Softball Tacks on Two More Wins; Sweeps Potsdam 4/21/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics POTSDAM, NY--Buffalo State (24-6/12-2) kept pace with the top teams in the SUNYAC with a two-game sweep at Potsdam (5-19/2-12) today, winning 8-1 and 3-1.

Jordan Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) sparked the offense in the opener with a pair of home runs, and Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) tossed a six hitter with nine strikeouts. Fisher now has 100 strikeouts on the season, just 13 shy of matching a Buffalo State single-season record. Lauren Mruk (Lancaster/Lancaster) bolstered the Bengals' offense, going 3 for 4, and Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) was 2 for 4.

In the nightcap, Potsdam took and early 1-0 lead, but Buffalo State tallied three runs in the later innings to clinch the victory. Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) surrendered just three first-inning hits in the game and struck out eight Bears en route to the win. Mruk had a double and scored a run for the Bengals.

Buffalo State will play at first-place Plattsburgh tomorrow in a pair of games that will play a large role in determining the regular season conference champion.
1753 Softball Overpowered by No. 19 Plattsburgh 4/22/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics PLATTSBURGH, NY--Buffalo State (24-8/12-4) had its six-game winning streak snapped in stunning fashion, falling 9-2 and 8-0 to nationally 19th-ranked Plattsburgh (27-7/15-1) today in a pair of SUNYAC games in North Country.

In the opener, Plattsburgh scored early and often, out-hitting the Bengals 15-4. Lauren Mruk (Lancaster/Lancaster) was 2 for 3 with two RBIs for the Bengals and Laurie Hutten (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) was 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored to account for all of the Bengals' offense.

Plattsburgh needed just six innings to dispose of the Bengals in the second game, scoring eight runs on just six hits. Buffalo State was only able to muster two hits, a single by Hutten and a double by Nicole Maher (Waterloo/Waterloo).

The Knights opened the game with an early 6-2 lead, but Buffalo State quickly closed the gap to 6-5. Geneseo took control from there, taking a 9-5 lead into the intermission, and outscoring the Bengals 6-2 in the second half.

Emily Ward (E. Hampton/E. Hampton) led Geneseo with for goals and an assist. Melody Kuzniar (Rome/Rome Free Acad.) added two goals and three assists. Maggie Benham (Canandaigua/Canandaigua) and Shauna Leonard (W. Henrietta/Rush-Henrietta) had three goals each.

Chelsey Frail (E. Rochester/E. Rochester) led the Bengals with two goals and one assist. Leah Bernal (Marilla/Iroquois) had a goal and two assists, and Shantel Ackley (Baldwinsville/CW Baker), Katie Lyons (Williamsville/Williamsville North), Erin Silky (Liverpool/Liverpool) and Tara Ammerman (Naples/Marcus Whitman) all added single goals. Katie Rivers (Watertown/Watertown) made 16 saves.

Buffalo State will host Potsdam on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
1754 Softball Player Lauren Mruk 4/24/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics Softball player Lauren Mruk (Lancaster/Lancaster) was named the Buffalo State Athlete of the Week.

The junior center fielder helped the Bengals to a 4-2 record this past week, hitting 9 of 21 (.429). An earth science education major, Mruk had a pair of three-hit performances in a pair of wins at Rochester and Potsdam. She also had six runs scored and two RBIs. She is third on the team this season with a .338 batting average and has six extra-base hits and 15 RBIs.

Buffalo State will close out its regular season this week with doubleheaders against Brockport, Fredonia and Ithaca.
1755 Softball Gets Back on Track with Sweep at Brockport 4/24/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics BROCKPORT, NY--Buffalo State (26-8/14-4) pounded 22 hits in a pair of wins at SUNYAC-rival Brockport today, winning 8-2 and 6-1.

In hte opening game, the Bengals took a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning and then exploded for five runs in the final inning to dash any hopes of a Golden Eagles' comeback. Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) allowed just four hits and struck out four for the win and helped herself at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a home run. Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Laurie Hutten (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) was 3 for 4 with two runs scored.

Buffalo State cruised to the 6-1 win in the second game, allowing Brockport's only run in the seventh inning. Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) tossed a five-hitter with eight strikeouts. Hutten was again 3 for 4 with two runs scored. Sabuda had a two-RBI double, and Brooke Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South) was 2 for 3.

Buffalo State will close out the SUNYAC regular season at home on Wednesday against Fredonia.
1758 Fisher Throws No-Hitter; Softball Splits Doubleheader with Fredonia 4/26/2006 Jeff Ventura venturjm@buffalostate.edu Default Department Sports Information Director 7168786030 http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics BUFFALO, NY—Freshman Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) threw her second no-hitter of the season in Buffalo State’s (27-9/15-5) 5-0 victory over visiting Fredonia (10-25-1/5-12-1) today in the second half of a SUNYAC doubleheader. Fredonia won the first game by a 6-3 count.

In the opening game, Fredonia jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and extended the margin to 6-0 by the fifth inning. The Bengals scored three runs in the sixth, but could not complete the rally. Ashley Sullivan (Derby/Lakeshore) led the Fredonia offense, going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Meghan Sullivan (Derby/Lakeshore) and Amanda Colburn (Jamestown/Falconer) were both 2 for 3 for the Blue Devils, and Casey Mazurek (Dunkirk/Dunkirk) earned the win, tossing five-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale), Brooke Matheis (Hamburg/Frontier) and Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) were all 1 for 3 with an RBI. Sabuda allowed nine hits and just two earned runs in the loss.

Buffalo State jumped out to the early lead in the second game and cruised to the victory behind the arm of Fisher. Fisher, who only walked one batter, struck out 11 batters and set a single-season school record for strikeouts, bringing her rookie year total to 122. The previous record was 113 by Deanna Hunt in 1996. The Bengals offense was led by Matheis, who went 3 for 3 with an RBI. Banach was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Mazurek suffered the complete game loss, allowing 12 hits and striking out 11 for the Blue Devils.

Buffalo State led 7-4 at halftime and never let the Bears closer than three goals in the second half. Shantel Ackley (Baldwinsville/CW Baker) added two goals and two assists for the Bengals. Leah Bernal (Marilla/Iroquois) had two goals and an assists, Tara Ammerman (Naples/Marcus Whitman) scored twice, and Chelsey Frail (E. Rochester/E. Rochester) and Katie Lyons (Williamsville/Williamsville North) also scored.